2.8 Confusing focus order on side bar (H)
FIGURE 2.15: Sidebar highlighted on the patient information page with NVDA speech viewer activated
FIGURE 2.16: Expanded sidebar highlighted
2.8.1 WCAG 1.3.2 (A), 2.4.3 (A), 2.4.4 (A), 4.1.1 (A), 4.1.2 (A) - Desktop
When navigating to the side bar using a keyboard, numerous number buttons are announced by the screen reader. This is because the sidebar allows users to navigate to other rows of the table; when minimised, only the column ‘Required Actions’ is displayed on screen. This could be confusing: the numbers are meaningless without additional context and it is not immediately obvious that the section can be expanded.
Furthermore, this navigation causes numerous buttons to be announced by the screen reader. It is unclear what these buttons are for since they are merely announced as “button 0 button 0 button 0”. Users need to tab through an entire table of similarly announced buttons. This is a highly frustrating and confusing experience for users.
Users would expect the focus order to begin within the patient info section. They would not expect focus to move into the sidebar navigation without user input. The purpose of these links need to be made clear to users so that they know what to expect when interacting with them.
2.8.2 Recommendation
Focus should move into the sidebar menu only if the user chooses to navigate there. Do not display ‘Required Actions’ column numbers when the menu is collapsed as this can be confusing.
When the sidebar menu is expanded, the name of the patient should function as a link and be announced as such by screen readers. Ensure that users are informed of the purpose of the link.
2.8.3 Resources
2.8.4 Spot check: December 2022
This issue is unresolved. Please refer to the recommendation above to fix the issue.